Title: Conscious purchasing - Securing the purchasing process in the apparel industry Authors: Jakob Bank, Emma Sjödoff and Helena Zebergs Tutor: Roger Stokkedal Examiner: Helena Forslund Background: There has been several scandals within the apparel industry and due to this brand owners of apparel companies has started to offer their customers’ alternative products, which has been manufactured in a more conscious and sustainable way. The purchasing process has thereby become more complex including multiple criteria such as social and environmental considerations which have to be fulfilled by their suppliers. Purpose: To describe how Swedish brand owners of apparel companies select their supplier for their conscious collections, which sustainability policies they include in contracts with their selected suppliers and how they evaluate these suppliers in regard to the brand owners’ policy on sustainability. Method: This thesis was conducted using qualitative semi-structured interviews and a deductive approach. Several sampling methods was used which led to the involved companies who were interviewed through both structured as well as semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: Swedish brand owners of apparel companies select their suppliers based on how well they fulfil their demands, and if there is a possibility to establish a long term relationship. They include different sustainability policies in their contracts, but all suppliers need to approve the brand owners CoC as well as use organic cotton. The evaluation visits are conducted, but the evaluation responsible, how often it takes place and the duration of the visit depends on the brand owner.

Grandes empresas têm adotado a estratégia da desintegração vertical, passando a se concentrar em seu negócio principal e envolvendo um número cada vez maior de fornecedores. Precisam, para isso, estabelecer uma cadeia de fornecimento composta por empresas competentes e confiáveis. O desenvolvimento e a qualificação de fornecedores são necessários, o que requer tempo e recursos. A tese apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre temas relacionados, como desintegração vertical de empresas, desenvolvimento e qualificação de fornecedores, modelos de gestão aplicados a seu desenvolvimento de fornecedores, e apresenta o Prodfor, Programa Integrado de Desenvolvimento e Qualificação de Fornecedores, mantido por doze grandes empresas, sendo um caso de grande sucesso na preparação de fornecedores. Analisa a eficácia de ações para desenvolvimento e qualificação de fornecedores sob o ponto de vista das empresas compradoras e também dos fornecedores, apresentando os resultados de pesquisa de campo com fornecedores desenvolvidos e qualificados, pesquisa com as empresas mantenedoras e, também, estudo de casos com as empresas-destaque. Essas pesquisas permitiram avaliar os resultados proporcionados aos fornecedores, fazendo uma análise comparativa antes e depois da qualificação, sendo possível identificar as características dos fornecedores de destaque e o que fizeram para apresentar os melhores resultados. Constata que os fornecedores de sucesso foram além dos requisitos estabelecidos na norma ISO 9001 e propõe ações para que toda a cadeia de fornecimento seja desenvolvida para os níveis alcançados pelas empresas-destaque em busca da excelência. / Large companies have adopted the strategy of vertical disintegration to focus on its core business and involving an increasing number of suppliers. Therefore, they need to establish a supply chain composed by competent and reliable companies. The development and qualification of suppliers is a must, and requires time and resources. This thesis presents a literature review on topics related, as vertical disintegration, development and qualification of suppliers, models of management applied to their development, and presents the Prodfor - Integrated Program for Development and Qualification of Suppliers, sponsored by twelve large companies, . as a case of great success in the preparation of suppliers. It makes an analysis of effectiveness of development and qualification of suppliers regarding purchasing companies and suppliers, presenting the results of a survey with suppliers developed and qualified by Prodfor, a survey with the Prodfor companies sponsors, and also a case-study with outstanding suppliers. These studies allowed the analysis of the results provided to suppliers, and a comparative analysis before and after the qualification, identifying the characteristics of outstanding suppliers and what they did to achieve better results. This work shows that the successful suppliers went beyond the requirements of the standard ISO 9001, and proposes actions for the whole supply chain development to achieve the same levels as the outstanding companies, seeking excellence.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore green sourcing in supply chain management by the example of two large organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This study followed an iterative cycle of reviewing literature and empirics as well as conducting analysis and discussion. The literature gathered for this thesis was collected by reviewing ten academic journals as well as publications found through database search. Empirical data was collected from two case organisations, ABB Robotics and Vattenfall, through interviews, internal documents and public statements. The empirical data was analysed separately for each case organisation by use of an analytical model constructed from the literature findings. Thereafter, similarities and differences between the organisations were discussed as well as the thesis’ contributions to green sourcing literature. Findings – We found that although both ABB Robotics and Vattenfall incorporate environmental sustainability to some degree in their respective sourcing processes, their individual performance differed. The main difference between the organisations was found to be the visibility and managerial drive towards the realisation of environmental goals within the sourcing department. From our observations, it was found that Vattenfall to a large extent embraced their environmental goals and that these trickled down to the sourcing department. ABB Robotics on the other hand had numerous environmental goals on corporate level but these lacked visibility in the sourcing department. In comparison to our literature findings is was found that for environmental goals, Vattenfall was in more alignment with the suggestions by the scholars. For the other identified areas important for green sourcing, that being supplier assessment, supplier performance evaluation and supplier collaboration, both organisations were more aligned with our literature findings. Practical implications – In this thesis, four primary elements of green sourcing have been identified: environmental goals, supplier assessment, supplier performance evaluation, and supplier collaborations. Out of these, we found that the first element, environmental goals, is an enabler for the other elements of green sourcing to further evolve and is therefore essential for green sourcing. Originality/value – By looking beyond public statements and policies of environmental sustainability, this thesis has provided a unique insight in how two large organisations have implemented environmental sustainability in practice, from a sourcing perspective.

Background: Sustainability is the need of the time, everyone in the society should play a role in making a more sustainable environment. Organizations as demanded by the whole society need to be more sustainable in order to achieve survival and success. The sustainable development of a company is inseparable from a sustainable supply management. Supplier development is one of the critical parts in supply management which can contribute to the buying firm and its suppliers’ sustainable development. With different strategies in supplier development life-cycle stages and the sustainability considerations in supplier development practices are significant in corporate sustainable development. Purpose: The intention of this thesis is to empirically study what strategies in supplier development practices are implemented in Ericsson and how sustainability is taken into consideration. By studying supplier development practices in Ericsson empirically, this thesis intended to deepen knowledge of supplier development practices in the telecommunications industry. Method: This thesis is a qualitative research study which utilizes the single-case study methodwith multiple interviews. The empirical findings were supported by both primary and secondary data. The interviews were conducted with semi-structured ways under the framework of the interview’s ethical considerations and interview guide. Conclusion: There are different strategies which include both direct and indirect strategies in different supplier development life-cycle stages in Ericsson. Sustainability is taken into consideration in designing, recruiting, implementing, evaluating and rewarding stages of supplier development life cycle. The findings have contributed to deepen the knowledge of supplier development practices empirically in the telecommunications industry.

M. Tech. (Department of Logistics, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between supplier selection practices, supplier risk management, supplier commitment and procurement performance in the public health industry in Gauteng province. Many studies have been conducted on the specific subject of procurement performance within the public health care sector. However, there is very little evidence that any such studies have been carried out that have precisely been narrowed down to the specific subject of the dimensional relationships and linkages between Supplier selection, supplier risk management, supplier commitment and procurement performance in the public health industry in South Africa. This study, therefore, was conducted to fill this gap. To measure the study constructs, the survey material was designed in the form of a structured questionnaire. Participants were asked to complete four test instruments namely: supplier selection questionnaire, supplier risk management questionnaire, supplier commitment and procurement performance questionnaire. A total number of 200 questionnaires was distributed to the identified sample of public health industries of which 187 responded and finally, 150 questionnaires were usable and used for data analysis. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the SMART-partial least squares (SMART-PLS 3) structural equation modelling procedure. The actual data analysis techniques applied included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using structural equation modelling. Also, the latter used a SMART-PLS 3 to test the psychometric properties of measurement scales and the testing of the six hypotheses using the path analyses technique. The results of the study showed positive and significant relationships amongst all variables except for one. Specifically, supplier selection and supplier risk management exerted a moderate and significant influence on supplier commitment. Moreover, supplier commitment had a strong positive and significant relationship with procurement performance while supplier risk management had a weak and insignificant relationship with the same factor. More results provided from the analysis confirmed the existence of a very strong and significant relationship between supplier selection and procurement performance. Besides, the study takes note of its contributions to highlighting its merits. From a theoretical perspective, it provides an in-depth examination of some driving factors to supplier selection, supplier risk management, supplier commitment and procurement performance within Public health entities. Given that a study of this nature has not been performed before amongst South African public health care sectors, the results are an essential addition to the existing body of literature within the area of procurement performance within public health industries in developing countries such as South Africa. The study concludes by suggesting recommendations for limiting the impact of the identified challenges on procurement performance.

Södra har i nuläget en modell för leverantörssegmentering med segmenten strategiska-, prioriterade- och avtalade leverantörer. Det finns emellertid förbättringsmöjligheter kring tillämpningen av modellen, såväl som den efterföljande hanteringen av segmenten. Syftet är att ge förslag på hur strategier för hantering av leverantörssegment kan differentieras för Södra. För att uppnå syftet tas avstamp i litteraturen kring Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). Därefter samlas empirisk data in utifrån en enkätundersökning och två semistrukturerade intervjuer. Uppsatsens första bidrag är ett förslag på hur strategier för hantering av Södras leverantörssegment kan differentieras utifrån litteraturen kring SRM. 14 element identifieras och förslag på hur dessa kan tillämpas för Södras leverantörssegment presenteras. Ett av dessa element är kommunikation, där strategiska leverantörsrelationer bör karaktäriseras av omfattande kommunikation, medan kommunikationsnivån successivt bör minska för prioriterade- och avtalade leverantörsrelationer. Ytterligare ett element är inköpspris, där fokus för avtalade leverantörer bör vara att erhålla ett fördelaktigt pris, medan fokus för strategiska leverantörer bör vara att säkerställa tillgången. För det andra bidrar uppsatsen med att identifiera förbättringsmöjligheter i tillämpningen av Södras segmenteringsmodell. Enkätundersökningen och intervjuerna visar att modellen upplevs som komplicerad och otydlig, samt att det finns ett behov av utbildningar och rutiner. Slutligen bidrar uppsatsen med att identifiera förbättringsmöjligheter i Södras hantering av olika leverantörssegment. Det framgår att ett flertal inköpare inte tar hänsyn till alla 14 element, vilket visar på förbättringsmöjligheter kring hur hänsyn kan tas till dessa element. / Södra currently has a model for supplier segmentation with the segments strategic-, prioritized-, and contracted suppliers. However, there are opportunities for improvement in the application of the model, as well as in the subsequent management of the segments. The purpose is to propose how strategies for managing supplier segments can be differentiated for Södra. To achieve this purpose, the literature on Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is used as a starting point. Empirical data is then collected through a survey and two semi-structured interviews. The first contribution of the thesis is a proposal on how strategies for managing Södras supplier segments can be differentiated based on the SRM literature. 14 elements are identified, and suggestions on how these can be applied to Södras supplier segments are presented. One of these elements is communication, where strategic supplier relationships should be characterized by extensive communication, while the level of communication should gradually decrease for prioritized- and contracted supplier relationships. Another element is purchase price, where the focus regarding contracted suppliers should be to obtain a favorable price, while the focus regarding strategic suppliers should be to ensure availability. Secondly, the thesis contributes by identifying opportunities for improvement in the application of Södras segmentation model. The survey and interviews reveal that the model is perceived as complicated and unclear, and that there is a need for training and routines. Finally, the thesis identifies opportunities for improvement in Södras management of different supplier segments. It is evident that several buyers do not take all 14 elements into consideration, which indicates potential improvements in how these elements can be considered.

A literature study was done on the concepts of purchasing and supply management to develop a framework of purchasing and supply management in a mine. A questionnaire was designed, based on the findings in the literature, and to assist to develop a framework of sustainable purchasing and supply management process and procedure towards value creation in a mine. The state of the internal purchasing and supply management process and procedures was assessed through a survey questionnaire to extract the data. The elements of procurement and supply management were broken down into clear activities towards the creation of value in a mine. The key area of concern is to ensure adherence to proper processes and procedures to create an environment that is conducive towards the objectives of the mine and install a mechanism that is measurable. The focus on procurement and supply management towards value creation has became the key determining factor in the mine. A practical development framework of sustainable purchasing and supply management manage towards value is proposed for a mine and to address the gaps found after analysing the questionnaires. The findings of the empirical study and the literature review were used as the basis of the framework. In this thesis the main focus was Purchasing and Supply Management process and procedures, and Contract Management. The relationship between procurement in the supply chain management process and its functional departments is critical towards sustainable development and value creation. Purchasing and Supply Management are one of the key value drivers in a mine and in particular assisting with governance of purchasing activities which contribute significance towards value adding and cost. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are drawn and rendered in order to develop a framework of purchasing and supply management in a mine. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

A literature study was done on the concepts of purchasing and supply management to develop a framework of purchasing and supply management in a mine. A questionnaire was designed, based on the findings in the literature, and to assist to develop a framework of sustainable purchasing and supply management process and procedure towards value creation in a mine. The state of the internal purchasing and supply management process and procedures was assessed through a survey questionnaire to extract the data. The elements of procurement and supply management were broken down into clear activities towards the creation of value in a mine. The key area of concern is to ensure adherence to proper processes and procedures to create an environment that is conducive towards the objectives of the mine and install a mechanism that is measurable. The focus on procurement and supply management towards value creation has became the key determining factor in the mine. A practical development framework of sustainable purchasing and supply management manage towards value is proposed for a mine and to address the gaps found after analysing the questionnaires. The findings of the empirical study and the literature review were used as the basis of the framework. In this thesis the main focus was Purchasing and Supply Management process and procedures, and Contract Management. The relationship between procurement in the supply chain management process and its functional departments is critical towards sustainable development and value creation. Purchasing and Supply Management are one of the key value drivers in a mine and in particular assisting with governance of purchasing activities which contribute significance towards value adding and cost. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are drawn and rendered in order to develop a framework of purchasing and supply management in a mine. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Sammanfattning   Kurs: Ämnesfördjupande arbete i logistik, 2FE02E, VT 2016-05-25 Författare: Marcus Rex, Alexandra Valhed och Daniella Pavkovic Handledare: Hana Hulthén Titel: Ett ramverk över förutsättningar inom Supplier Quality Development-program - en fallstudie Bakgrund: För att förbättra sina leverantörers kapacitet och skicklighet kan företag använda sig av olika leverantörsutvecklingsprogram byggda på långsiktiga relationer baserade på lojalitet och tillit. Ett viktigt område inom dessa program är leverantörernas kvalitet. Företag som inte säkerställer kvalitetsnivåerna riskerar att bli mindre framgångsrika i sin leverantörsutveckling. Det har hänt mycket inom kvalitetsområdet inom det senaste decenniet, marknadens kunskaper har ökat och allt högre krav från kunder ställs. Supplier quality development-program är ett strategiskt kvalitetsutvecklingsprogram inom leverantörsutveckling, där syftet är att förbättra kvalitet och effektivitet hos befintliga leverantörer och möta den förändrade marknadssituationen. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att exemplifiera förutsättningar för ett supplier quality development-program genom att utveckla ett föreslaget ramverk. Metod: Forskningsdesignen för studien är en fallstudie med en kvalitativ forskningsmetod. Personal på kvalitet- och miljöavdelningen på projektföretaget har intervjuats i ostrukturerade och semi-strukturerade intervjuer för att samla in empirisk data till studien. Urvalet har gjorts genom snöbollsurval där första kontakt tagits med Head of Supply Chain Management på företaget. Slutsats: Kommunikation med ömsesidigt engagemang, måttlig frekvens samt tillit och lojalitet, regelbundna och noggranna kvalitetsmätningar, tillgänglighet av nödvändiga resurser, långsiktiga och hållbara relationer, utbildning, intern och extern strategi samt en aktiv ledning åtminstone inledningsvis är de förutsättningar som belyses i ramverket som slutsatsen mynnar ut i.

<p> </p><p><strong>Degree Project Advanced Level - Business Administration, Linnaeus Business School at Linnaeus University, Business Process and Supply Chain Management, 4FE02E, Spring 2010.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Authors:</strong> Muhammad Rizwan ul Haque, Ahmed Nawaz Shaikh, Kamonmarn Jaenglom, Zaheer Tariq</p><p><strong>Tutor:</strong> Petra Andersson</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Title: Supplier Selection Process Improvement through Six-Sigma DMAIC (A case of Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Cement industry is considered to be an intensive supplier base industry. Cement manufacturing involves several types of suppliers ranging from general utilities to large plant equipments. Also, supply chain performance is significant topic in many cement organisations. The supply chain department at Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited (LPCL) wants to inspect and improve their supplier selection process. The intended objective of this inspection is two folded. First, LPCL wants to develop a competitive supplier base out of bulk suppliers available in the market that would result in competitive advantage over its competitors. Second, they want to improve their supplier selection process so that there would be low variance and exclusion of unnecessary activities that would ultimately help in achieving the cost, quality and service enhancement objectives.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Research question: </strong></p><p>How can the existing supplier selection process at Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited (LPCL) be improved by applying Six-Sigma DMAIC?</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong></p><p>This thesis is a descriptive case study and was conducted with a deductive approach. Data was collected through interviews, discussions and questionnaire. The scientific credibility of this thesis was secured by using many sources, avoidance of assumptions, studying a common process and following standardized steps of supplier selection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p><p>The existing process of supplier selection at LPCL was defined and mapped to understand the process characteristics and capabilities. The existing process was then analysed to identify problem areas, variations and unnecessary activities. Corrective actions were recommended to deal with problem areas and an improved supplier selection process for LPCL was suggested with process coordination and control measures.</p><p><strong>Suggestions for future research:</strong></p><p>Based on the findings of this thesis, we suggest that the further research for LPCL could be done in the area of sourcing and suppliers relationship management. Sourcing; a study could examine the sourcing policy at LPCL on purchasing practises of products. It would also be interesting to focus more on this area which leads to excellent cost reduction. Using scenario method could compare and analyse regional, national and worldwide sourcing. Supplier Relationship Management; a study could investigate supplier relationship management that leads to creating a competitive advantage for LPCL through the development of supplier performance monitoring and supplier development programme. More details could continuously move towards cost reduction, increased reliability and risk mitigation, transparency of supplier costs and quality, and enhanced efficiency of sourcing process.</p>